Method of gathering information relating to consumption of broadcast content by receiving stations

ABSTRACT

In a 3G broadcasting network, an electronic service guide (ESG) is broadcast including descriptions of sessions in which items, such as multimedia streams, are broadcast. Each description of a session includes an instruction to a mobile station to notify the network if it wishes to receive or to continue receiving items included in the session. This can be used to generate ratings for the session and/or to broadcast the session only in cells in which users are interested in receiving items included in the session.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of gathering informationrelating to consumption of broadcast content by receiving stations.

BACKGROUND ART

Third generation (3G) multicasting may be used to deliverpoint-to-multipoint content. For example, 3G multicasting may be used toprovide services, such as news programs, to mobile stations.

Reference is made to 3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project, TechnicalSpecification Group Services and System Aspects, MultimediaBroadcast/Multicast Service, Stage 1, Release 5 (3GPP TS22.146 V5.1.0)which describes schemes for collecting charging information for usingmulticast services.

Charging information may be collected on the basis of duration of amulticast session, times of joining and leaving a multicast subscriptiongroup, duration of membership of a multicast subscription group, timesof joining and leaving a multicast group, duration of membership of amulticast group and volume of contents received during a multicastsession.

In the examples just described, multicast joining and leaving messagesmay be used for collecting charging information. These messagesnaturally lend themselves to being used in this way since they areemployed in the normal course of establishing a multicast session.

The examples described above may also be used to determine ratings andto obtain feedback during multicasting.

Other methods of determining audience ratings and obtaining feedbackduring multicasting are also known.

For example, a timer-based feed back mechanism for requesting periodicfeedback of consumption of a multicast service is described in “Scalablefeedback for large groups” by J. Normenmacher and E. W. Biersack,IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking, pp. 375-386, Volume 7, Issue 3(June 1999). A similar result is achieved using Scalable ReliableMulticast (SRM) protocol described in “A reliable multicast frameworkfor light-weight sessions and application level framing” by S. Floyd, V.Jacobson, C. Liu, S. McCanne and L. Zhang, IEEE/ACM Transactions onNetworking, volume 5, pp. 784-803 (December 1997). These methods can beused to start, maintain and stop transmission depending on the existenceof the audience.

3G broadcasting and Internet protocol over terrestrial digital videobroadcasting (IP over DVB-T) may also be used to deliverpoint-to-multipoint data.

However, broadcasting differs from multicasting in at least one respect,namely that transmission of content is initiated by a service provideror network and not by the user. Content is transmitted in broadcastcells according to a predefined schedule and users can opt either toreceive or not to receive content. For example, a user may choose toreceive a one program, but not another.

In broadcasting, it is desirable to generate ratings for programs forthe purposes of billing users or charging advertisers. However, themethods of collecting charging information for using multicast servicesare not suited for use in broadcasting.

A satellite-based broadcasting system in which a broadcaster sends aRequest for Feedback (RFB) to clients and the clients transmit feedbackto a sever via a public land mobile network for determining size ofaudience is described in “Broadcast audience estimation” by Liu Chuanhaiand J. Normenmacher, INFOCOM 2000, Proceedings of Nineteenth AnnualJoint Conference of the IEEE Computer and Communications Societies,Volume 2, pp. 952-960 (2000).

The present invention seeks to provide a method of gathering informationrelating to consumption of broadcasted content by receiving stations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod of gathering information relating to consumption of broadcastcontent by receiving stations, the method comprising preparing aschedule for broadcasting content, including, in the schedule, aninstruction to notify a given party of consumption of content andtransmitting the schedule to a plurality of receiving stations.

Transmitting the schedule to said plurality of receiving stations maycomprise broadcasting the schedule to a plurality of receiving stations

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda method of gathering information relating to consumption of broadcastcontent, the method comprising preparing a description of the content,adding to the description an instruction to notify a given party ofintended reception of the content and transmitting the description to aplurality of receiving stations.

Transmitting the description to said plurality of receiving stations maycomprise broadcasting the description to a plurality of receivingstations

This has the advantage that consumption of content can be recorded inreal time.

The method may comprise including in the schedule or adding to thedescription an instruction to notify the given party of intendedcontinued reception of the content and/or an instruction to notify thegiven party of intended cessation of reception of content.

The method may comprise broadcasting the content if a receiving stationnotifies the given party that it intends to receive the content. Themethod may comprise receiving notifications from receiving stations. Themethod may comprise counting a number of receiving stations which notifythe given party that they intend to receive the content and/or countinga number of receiving stations which notify the given party that theyare receiving the content.

The preparing of the description of the content may be according to theSession Description Protocol.

The method may comprise identifying a region from which a notificationsis received and broadcasting the content in the region. The method maycomprise identifying a region from which no notification is received andnot broadcasting the content in the region.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod, in a receiving station, of providing information relating toconsumption of broadcast content, the method comprising receiving aschedule of broadcasting content, determining whether the scheduleincludes an instruction to notify a given party of consumption ofcontent and, if the schedule includes the instruction, then transmittinga notification to the given party.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provideda method, in a receiving station, of providing information relating toconsumption of broadcast content, the method comprising receiving adescription of the content, determining whether an instruction has beenadded to the description, the instruction being to notify a given partyof intended reception of the content and if the instruction is added tothe description, then transmitting, to the given party, a notificationof intended reception of the content.

The method may comprise receiving the content. The method may furthercomprise transmitting, to the given party, a notification of intendedcontinued reception of the content and/or transmitting, to the givenparty, a notification of intended cessation of reception of the content.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod of controlling a broadcasting network, said broadcasting networkincluding a base station for broadcasting content in a predeterminedregion, the method comprising determining whether a notification ofintended reception of broadcast content is received from a receivingstation located in said predetermined region and if, said notificationis received, broadcasting the content in the predetermined region.

The method may further comprising preparing a description of broadcastcontent adding to the description an instruction to notify a given partyof intended reception of the content and transmitting the description toa plurality of receiving stations.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod of controlling a broadcasting network, the broadcasting networkincluding a base station for broadcasting content in a predeterminedregion, the method comprising counting a number of notifications ofintended reception of broadcast content received from receiving stationslocated in said predetermined region and if, the number of notificationequals or exceeds a predetermined number, broadcasting the content inthe predetermined region.

The method may further comprise, if said number of notifications fallsbelow said predetermined number, stopping broadcast of said content insaid predetermined region.

A notification of intended reception of broadcast content may be used asa notification of intended continued reception of broadcast content.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is providedapparatus for gathering information relating to consumption of broadcastcontent, the apparatus comprising means for preparing a description ofthe content, means for adding to the description an instruction tonotify a given party of intended reception of the content and means fortransmitting the description to a plurality of receiving stations.

According to a eighth aspect of the present invention there is provideda apparatus for gathering information relating to consumption ofbroadcast content, the apparatus comprising a processor for preparing adescription of the content and adding to the description an instructionto notify a given party of intended reception of the content and atransmitter for transmitting the description to a plurality of receivingstations.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention there is providedapparatus for controlling a broadcasting network, the broadcastingnetwork including a content provider, a network element for routingcontent and a base station for broadcasting content in a predeterminedregion, the apparatus comprising means for receiving, from receivingstation, a notification of intended reception of broadcast content,means for determining whether the notification is received from areceiving station located in the predetermined region and means forinstructing the network element to route the content to the base stationfor transmission in the predetermined region.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention there is providedapparatus for controlling a broadcasting network, the broadcastingnetwork including a content provider, a network element for routingcontent and a base station for broadcasting content in a predeterminedregion, the apparatus comprising a receiver for receiving, fromreceiving station, a notification of intended reception of broadcastcontent, a processor for determining whether the notification isreceived from a receiving station located in the predetermined regionand transmitter for instructing the network element to route the contentto the base station for transmission in the predetermined region.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention there isprovided a receiving station for providing information relating toconsumption of broadcast content, the receiving station comprising meansfor receiving a description of the content, means for determiningwhether an instruction has been added to the description, theinstruction being to notify a given party of intended reception of thecontent; and means for transmitting, to the given party, a notificationof intended reception of the content if the instruction is added to thedescription.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention there isprovided a receiving station for providing information relating toconsumption of broadcast content, the receiving station comprising areceiver for receiving a description of the content, a processor fordetermining whether an instruction has been added to the description,the instruction being to notify a given party of intended reception ofthe content and a transmitter for transmitting, to the given patty, anotification of intended reception of the content if the instruction isadded to the description.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention there isprovided a system for presenting program schedule data on a display ofreceiving station, said system comprising at least a schedule data forbroadcasting content, the schedule data being organized to include atleast partly an instruction to notify a given party of consumption ofcontent.

The transmitting may be multicasting.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention there isprovided a computer program which, when executed by a data processingapparatus, causes said data processing apparatus to perform the method.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention there isprovided a computer program product storing the computer program.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention there isprovided a signal carrying the computer program.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention there isprovided a signal carrying a schedule or description of broadcastcontent which includes an instruction to notify a given party ofconsumption of content.

The signal may be electrical or optical. The signal may be a radiosignal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for transmitting content to aplurality of mobile stations;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a service delivery platform;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a ratings centre;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of mobile station circuitry;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of mobile station functionality;

FIG. 6 shows a service hierarchy;

FIG. 7 shows a service program;

FIG. 8 illustrates transmission of an electronic service guide;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a session announcement;

FIG. 10 illustrates a first process for providing content;

FIG. 11 shows transmission of items during sessions;

FIG. 12 is a process flow diagram of a method of operating a mobilestation;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a notification transmitted by a mobilestation;

FIG. 14 illustrates a second process for providing content;

FIG. 15 is a process flow diagram of a method of operating a ratingscentre;

FIG. 16 is a process flow diagram of a method of operating a networkelement;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of another system for transmittingcontent to a plurality of mobile stations;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of another mobile station; and

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of another system for transmittingcontent to a receiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

System for Delivering Broadcast Content

Referring to FIG. 1, a system for delivering broadcast content is shown.The broadcasting system includes at least one content provider 1 ₁, 1 ₂,1 ₃, a service delivery platform 2, a ratings centre 3, a core network4, which includes at least one network element 5 ₁, 5 ₂, and an accessnetwork 6. The access network 6 includes at least one network element 7₁, 7 ₂ and at least one wireless cell 8 ₁, 8 ₂ served by respective basestations 9 ₁, 9 ₂ and which can transmit signals to respective sets ofreceiving stations in the form of mobile stations 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆.

A broadcasting system can be considered to be different from amulticasting system in that a provider, not a consumer, initiatesdelivery of content. However, as will be explained in more detail later,the provider may initiate broadcasting in some areas but not othersaccording to the number of the consumers present and wishing to receivecontent in each area.

In this example, the core and access networks 4, 6 are included in auniversal mobile telephone system (UMTS) for delivering broadcastcontent. In this example, aspects relating to the use of UMTS as asystem for broadcasting are described.

The core network 4 is a packet-based network and the network elements 5₁, 5 ₂ are a gateway general packet radio service (GPRS) service node(GGSN) and a serving GPRS service node (SGSN) respectively.

The access network 6 is also a packet-based network and the networkelements 7 ₁, 7 ₂ are radio network controllers (RNC). The base stations9 ₁, 9 ₂ each comprise a base station node B for transmitting andreceiving signals according to a wideband code division multiple access(WCDMA) specification.

Service Delivery Platform 2

Referring to FIG. 2, functional elements of the service deliveryplatform 2 are shown. The service delivery platform 2 includes anelectronic service guide (ESG) management module 11 for allowing anadministrator (not shown) to control metadata for describing content, anESG database 12 for storing metadata for the ESG, a service discoveryserver 13 for generating and providing announcements of services andsessions, a content management module 14 for allowing the administratorto add, replace and delete content items for transmission, a contentsdatabase 15 for storing or buffering content for transmission and acontent server 16 for providing content.

Ratings Centre 3

Referring to FIG. 3, functional elements of the ratings centre 3 areshown. The ratings centre 3 may include a ratings server 17, a database18 and a management module 19. The rating centre 3 may be integrated orcollocated with the service delivery platform 2. Alternatively, it maybe integrated or collocated with a network element 51, 52 or be locatedat a different site.

Mobile Station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆

Referring to FIG. 4, a mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆is shown in more detail. The mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10₅, 10 ₆ includes an antenna 20, a radio frequency section 21 for, interalia, modulating/de-modualting and amplifying signals, a signalprocessor 22 for, inter alia, coding/decoding signals, a microphone 23,a speaker 24, a controller 24, a user input 25, such as a keypad, adisplay 26, memory 27, a smart card 28, such as a universal subscriberidentification module (USIM) 29, a smart card reader 30 and, optionally,storage 31, which may be non-volatile memory. The mobile station 10 ₁,10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ is powered by a battery (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 5, functional elements of the mobile station 10 ₁, 10₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ are shown. The mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ includes a receiver 32, a service discovery client33, an ESG database 34 for storing the ESG, an ESG browser 35, contentfiltering application 36, a content database 37 for storing content anda content browser 38.

The receiver 34 receives, demodulates and decapsulates data receivedfrom the access network 6. The demodulated and decapsulated data isforwarded to an IP stack (not shown). The demodulated and decapsulateddata comprises IP packets carrying content streams or metadatadescribing content. The IP packets are forwarded to IP-basedapplications, such as the service discovery client 33 or contentfiltering application 36, running on the mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆.

The service discovery client 33 receives IP packets carrying the ESG.The IP packets carry metadata which can be stored in the ESG database 34or forwarded directly to the ESG browser 35.

The ESG database 34 may be held in memory 28 or storage 31 (FIG. 4).When the mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ is firstswitched on, the ESG database 34 is usually empty. However, the ESGdatabase 34 fills up and is updated as the ESG is received.

The ESG browser 35 allows a user to view schedules and descriptions ofservices, sessions and content items available from the service deliveryplatform 2 (FIG. 1). The ESG browser 35 can retrieve metadata from theESG database 34 or receive updates directly from the service discoveryclient 33.

The content filtering application 36 receives IP packets on one or moregiven addresses and one or more given ports configured by the contentbrowser 38 or other applications running. The IP packets carry contentwhich can be stored in the content database 37 or forwarded directly tothe content browser 38.

The content browser 38 is usually loaded and run when the user selectsselected a particular content item for consumption. The content item canbe received in real time or retrieved from the content database 37. Thecontent browser 38 can be for example a Web browser, an MP3 player or astreaming video client.

Electronic Service Guide (ESG)

An ESG is used to inform users about services which are available. Theservices are arranged according to a hierarchy to help users findservices in which he or she may be interested. Each service may compriseone or more sessions which include at least one item. An item mayinclude text, audio, video file or other data types. An item may alsocomprise two or more types of data, such as a video and audio. The ESGincludes information about the hierarchy of services and informationabout items transmitted during a session.

Referring to FIG. 6, a hierarchy 39 of available services is shown. Thehierarchy 39 includes categories 40 ₁, 40 ₂. Examples of first andsecond categories 40 ₁, 40 ₂ are news and sports respectively.Categories 40 ₁, 40 ₂ may in turn be divided into sub-categories (notshown). Categories 40 ₁ may include at least one service set 41 ₁ whichmay include at least one service 42 ₁.

A service set 41 ₁ groups together services 42 ₁ of same or similartype, usually provided or owned by one service provider or contentprovider. The service provider or content provider may provide or own aplurality of service sets 41 ₁. A service 42 ₁ may be included in aplurality of service sets 41 ₁. In this example, the first category 40 ₁includes a service set 41 ₁ labelled “CNN News Watch” which includes aservice 42 ₁ called “Live Update”.

Referring to FIG. 7, the ESG browser 35 (FIG. 5) can be used to displaya schedule 43 and to examine in detail a service 42 ₁. The service 421may include at least one session 44 ₁, 44 ₂ which may include at leastone item 45 ₁, 45 ₂, 45 ₃. For example, the “Live Update” service 42 ₁provided by “CNN News Watch” service set 34 ₁ may include a session orprogram 44 ₁ labelled “Business News” which includes items 45 ₁, 45 ₂,45 ₃ relating to business news in US, Europe and Asia respectively. Thesession 44 ₁ is scheduled to begin and end at given times. Items 45 ₁,45 ₂, 45 ₃ may also be scheduled.

The hierarchy 39 of categories 40 ₁, service sets 41 ₁ and services 42 ₁usually does not change on a daily or weekly basis. However, sessions 44₁, 44 ₂ and items 45 ₁, 45 ₂, 45 ₃ may change on a daily basis.

Hierarchy and Session Announcements

Referring to FIG. 8, the ESG includes two types of announcements, namelyhierarchy announcements 46 ₁, 46 ₂, 46 _(N) and session announcements 47₁, 47 ₂, 47 _(M). Each set of announcements 46 ₁, 46 ₂, 46 _(N) istransmitted using a carousel (not shown). In other words, announcements46 ₁, 46 ₂, 46 _(N) are transmitted one after another. When all theannouncements 46 ₁, 46 ₂, 46 _(N) have been sent, the carousel starts tosend the announcements again 46 ₁, 46 ₂, 46 _(N). In this example, theservice discovery server 13 (FIG. 2) provides one carousel for each typeof announcement. It may also provide additional carousels (not shown)for main pages and alerts.

A mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ listens toannouncements 46 ₁, 46 ₂, 46 _(N), 47 ₁, 47 ₂, 47 _(M) so as to acquirethe ESG.

Announcements 46 ₁, 46 ₂, 46 _(N), 47 ₁, 47 ₂, 47 _(M) are transmittedthrough the core network 4 and access network 6 over an IP controlchannel (IP-CC).

When a mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ is switched on,it usually does not have any ESG information. Therefore, the mobilestation 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ starts ESG discovery.

ESG discovery includes obtaining an IP address for receiving hierarchyannouncements 46 ₁, 46 ₂, 46 _(N). Usually, the IP address is obtainedby listening to a default IP address. Once a mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂,10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ knows the address on which the hierarchyannouncements 46 ₁, 46 ₂, 46 _(N) are transmitted, it listens forhierarchy announcements 46 ₁, 46 ₂, 46 _(N).

The hierarchy announcements 46 ₁, 46 ₂, 46 _(N) provide a hierarchy file(not shown) describing the hierarchy 39 (FIG. 6). The hierarchy file maytake the form of an XML file.

The hierarchy announcements 46 ₁, 46 ₂, 46 _(N) also provide an IPaddress for receiving session announcements 47 ₁, 47 ₂, 47 _(M) Once amobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ knows the address onwhich the session announcements 47 ₁, 47 ₂, 47 _(N) are transmitted, itlistens for session announcements 47 ₁, 47 ₂, 47 _(N).

Optionally, the process may include receiving main page and alertannouncements (not shown) and announcements (not shown) for providingmore details of services, sessions and items.

Referring to FIG. 9, a session announcement 47 ₁, 47 ₂, 47 _(M) is shownin more detail. Each session announcement 47 ₁, 47 ₂, 47 _(M) includes aheader 48 and a description 49 of a respective session 44 ₁ and items 45₁, 45 ₂, 45 _(M) included in the session 44 ₁.

In this example, Session Announcement Protocol (SAP) is used to transmitsession announcements 47 ₁, 47 ₂, 47 _(M) and Session DescriptionProtocol (SDP) is used to describe the session 44 ₁ and session items 45₁, 45 ₂, 45 _(M) Reference is made to “Session Announcement Protocol” byM. P. Maher, C. Perkins & E. Whelan, RFC 2974, IETF, October 2000 and to“Session Description Protocol” by M. Handley & V. Jacobson, RFC 2327,IETF, April 1998.

The description 49 may include a session identifier (session ID) foruniquely identifying the session, a session name, a category identifier(category ID) for identifying the, or each, category to which thesession belongs, a service identifier (service ID) for identifying the,or each, service to which the session belongs, start and stop times forscheduling the session, a session description, a universal resourcelocator (URL) for a more detailed description, a URL for purchasing, aprotection identifier (protection ID), a maximum bit rate of thesession, data for identifying a MIME type from which it possible toidentify a target application and/or a priority value for resolvingfiltering and Quality of Service (QoS) problems. The description 49 mayalso include additional arguments or fields for applications such asinformation for parental rating and genre classification.

The description 49 may also include at least one IP address and at leastone port number for receiving service items.

The description 49 may also include information on the, or each item,such as a URL for more detailed information for respective items, anitem identifier (item ID) for uniquely identifying an item, start andstop times for scheduling the item, a description of the item, a URL forvoting and a maximum bit rate for the item. The description 42 may alsoinclude additional arguments, such as information for parental ratingand classifying the item type.

A list of field types is found in “Session Announcement Protocol” ibid.

As will now be described in more detail, a schedule provided by an ESGand broadcast to end-users includes a request or instruction toend-users to provide feedback. Resulting feedback from end-users can beused to determine audience ratings. Furthermore, the feedback can alsobe used to select areas in which to broadcast content. For example, ifno feedback is received in a particular area, then content need not bebroadcast in that area.

Instruction to Send Notification

A message, hereinafter referred to as an instruction, is included in thedescription 49 for instructing a mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄,10 ₅, 10 ₆ to transmit a notification if the mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂,10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ wishes to receive the session, to transmit anotification if the mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆wishes to continue receiving the session and/or to transmit anotification if the mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆wishes to cease receiving a session. Separate instructions may be used.The instruction may also specify a time interval between whichnotifications should be transmitted.

In this example, an SDP category field is used and the instruction takesthe form:

a=x-monitoringFlag:<value><time>

where <value>=1 if the mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆is instructed to transmit notifications and <time> is time interval themobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ should wait betweentransmitting notifications.

The instruction may also include information for identifying to whom thenotification should be transmitted. For example, this may be a URL andso the instruction may take the form:

a=X-monitoringFlag:<value><time>

a=x-monitoringFlagURL:<url>

In this case, the URL is that of the ratings server 17 (FIG. 3). Otherlabels may be used instead of “monitoringFlag”.

Further instructions may be included in the description 49 forinstructing the mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ totransmit a notification if the mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10₅, 10 ₆ wishes to receive an item, to transmit a notification if themobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ wishes to continuereceiving an item and/or to transmit a notification if the mobilestation 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ wishes to cease receiving anitem. The, or each, further instruction may also specify a time intervalbetween which notifications should be transmitted.

Thus, for each item, a further instruction may take the form:

a=X-itemId:<item_id>

a=X-monitoringFlag:<value><time>

a=X-monitoringFlagURL:<url>

The mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ is provided with aroutine for interpreting the instruction and any further instructionsincluded in the description 49.

For example, a routine may include: IF monitoringFlag=1startransmissionFlag=1 continuetransmissionFlag=1 timeinterval=timefinishtransmissionFlag=1 end

If the mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ wants toreceive content or continue receiving content, then a flag“receivecontentFlag” may be set.

Thus, the routine may also include: IF receivecontentFlag=1 andstartransmissionFlag=1 send message “Start receiving content” end IFreceivecontentFlag=1 and finishtransmissionFlag=1 send message “Finishreceiving content” end IF receivecontentFlag=1 andscontinuetransmissionFlag=1 send message “Continue receiving content”end

Thus, the message is used to instruct or request mobile stations 10 ₁,10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ to provide feedback. The resulting feedbackcan be used to generate audience ratings and/or to select areas in whichto broadcast content, as will now be described in more detail:

Method of Generating Ratings

Referring to FIG. 10, a method of generating ratings is shown.

The service delivery platform 2 prepares an ESG. This includes preparingsession announcements including descriptions of sessions. The servicedelivery platform 2 checks whether each session is to be rated, and ifso, includes an instruction for instructing a mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂,10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ to transmit respective notifications if themobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ wishes to receive thesession, to continue receiving the session and to cease receiving thesession.

In this case, an instruction is to be included in each of thedescriptions for the first and second sessions 44 ₁, 44 ₂. Eachdescription takes the form of an SDP description and the instructiontakes the form of an SDP category field as described earlier.

The service delivery platform 2 transmits the ESG (step S1).

The ESG is broadcast to mobile stations 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10₆ in cells 81, 82. Taking the first mobile station 10 ₁ as an example,the first mobile station 10 ₁ receives the ESG and for each session and,optionally, for each item in each session, checks whether there is aninstruction to transmit a notification.

In this example, the ESG is included in the hierarchy and sessionannouncements 46 ₁, 46 ₂, 46 _(M), 47 ₁, 47 ₂, 47 _(M) (FIG. 8). Thefirst and second session announcements 47 ₁, 47 ₂ include descriptionsof first and second sessions 44 ₁, 44 ₂ (FIG. 7). The mobile station 10₁ examines the description 49 included in the session announcements 47₁, 47 ₂ and checks whether there is an instruction to notify the ratingscentre 3. In other words, it checks whether the “a=X-monitoringFlag” ispresent. It also checks whether there are any another similar fieldswith additional instructions.

The service delivery platform 2 also transmits a message to the SGSN 5 ₂requesting that the SGSN 5 ₂ reserve bandwidth for transmitting content(step S2). The SGSN 5 ₂ reserves the bandwidth and returns anacknowledgement to the service delivery platform 2 (step S3). Theservice delivery platform 2, if it has not done so already, sends amessage to the, or each content provider 1 ₁, 1 ₂, 1 ₃, instructing themto transmit content (step S4).

The service delivery platform 2 transmits content (step S5).

Referring also to FIG. 11, content 50 includes content 51 ₁, 51 ₂, 51 ₃for each item 45 ₁, 45 ₂, 45 ₃ (FIG. 7) included in the first session 44₁ (FIG. 7) and content 52 ₁, 53 ₁, 53 ₂, 54 ₁, 54 ₂, 55 ₁ for otheritems included in other sessions (not shown) some of which may or maynot be transmitted simultaneously. Content for each item comprises IPpackets. For example, content 51 ₁ for the first item 45 ₁ (FIG. 7)comprises a plurality of IP packets 56 _(1A), 56 _(1B), 56 _(1C).Content 51 ₂ for the second item 45 ₂ (FIG. 7) comprises a plurality ofIP packets 56 _(2A), 56 _(2B), 56 _(2C) and content 513 for the seconditem 45 ₃ (FIG. 7) comprises a plurality of IP packets 56 _(3A), 56_(3B), 56 _(3C).

Content 50 is transmitted via the service delivery platform 2, throughthe core network 4 (FIG. 1), to the access network 6 (FIG. 1) whichbroadcasts the IP packets 56 _(1A), 56 _(1B), 56 _(1C), 56 _(2A), 56_(2B), 56 _(2C), 56 _(3A), 56 _(3B), 56 _(3C) in cells 8 ₁, 8 ₂ usingbase stations 9 ₁, 9 ₂ (step S5). Until the mobile station 101 isinstructed to do so by its user, the mobile station 10 ₁ does notreceive, filters out or ignores IP packets 56 _(1A), 56 _(1B), 56 _(1C),56 _(2A), 56 _(2B), 56 _(2C), 56 _(3A), 56 _(3B), 56 _(3C) carryingcontent 51 ₁, 51 ₂, 51 ₃ relating to the session 44 ₁,

The mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ transmits anotification that it wishes to start consuming content in respect ofwhich it has been instructed to send a notification (step S6). In thisexample, this is done as follows:

The user, via the ESG browser 35 (FIG. 5), indicates that he or shewishes to watch the Business News, in other words consume items 45 ₁, 45₂, 45 ₃ included in the first session 44 ₁. The mobile station 101transmits a notification 57 (FIG. 13) to the ratings centre 3 notifyingthe ratings centre 3 that it is beginning to consume items 45 ₁, 45 ₂,45 ₃ included in the first session 44 ₁ (FIG. 7) (steps S6).

Referring to FIG. 12, a notification 57 is in the form of a userdatagram protocol (UDP) packet and includes a header 58 and payload 59which includes data for identifying the first session 44 ₁ and data foridentifying whether consumption is beginning, continuing or ending.

Referring again to FIGS. 10 and 11, the mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃,10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ starts to receive content in respect of which it hasbeen instructed to send a notification (step S7).

In this example, the mobile station 101 begins to receive and parse IPpackets 56 _(1A), 56 _(1B), 56 _(1C), 56 _(2A), 56 _(2B), 56 _(2C), 56_(3A), 56 _(3B), 56 _(3C) carrying content relating to items 45 ₁, 45 ₂,45 ₃ in the first sessions 44 ₁ to content database 37 (FIG. 5) forstoring and/or to content browser 38 (FIG. 5) for immediate presentationto the user.

The mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ transmits anotification that it is continuing to consume the content (step S8).

In this case, while the mobile station 10 ₁ receives and parses IPpackets 56 _(1A), 56 _(1B), 56 _(1C), 56 _(2A), 56 _(2B), 56 _(2C), 56_(3A), 56 _(3B), 56 _(3C) carrying content relating to items 45 ₁, 45 ₂,45 ₃ (FIG. 7) in the first sessions 44 ₁ (FIG. 7), it periodically senda notification 57 (FIG. 13) to the ratings centre 3 informing theratings centre 3 that it is still consuming items 45 ₁, 45 ₂, 45 ₃.

The mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ transmits anotification that it is finished consuming content (step S9). In thisexample, this is done as follows:

The user indicates that he or she no longer wishes to watch the BusinessNews. This may be down my entering a command through the content browser38 (FIG. 5).

The mobile terminal 101 ceases to receive and parse the IP packets 56_(1A), 56 _(1B), 56 _(1C), 56 _(2A), 56 _(2B), 56 _(2C), 56 _(3A), 56_(3B), 56 _(3C) and so it sends a notification 57 (FIG. 13) to theratings centre 3 that it is has finished consuming items 45 ₁, 45 ₂, 45₃ (FIG. 7).

It will be understood, that more than one mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 106 may want to receive items 45 ₁, 45 ₂, 45 ₃ (FIG. 7)included in the first session 44 ₁ (FIG. 7) and so more than one sets ofnotifications 57 (FIG. 13) may be sent to the ratings centre 3.

The process hereinbefore described may be used to charge each mobilestation 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ for accessing a service.

The process may be used to generate ratings. The ratings centre 3collects notifications 57 (FIG. 13) relating to the same session oritem, such as the first session 441 (FIG. 7), and counts thenotifications 57. In this way, the ratings centre 3 can determine howmany mobile stations 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 106 consumed thesession 44 ₁ (FIG. 7). If advertisements are displayed or played duringthe session 44 ₁ (FIG. 7) or item 45 ₁, 45 ₂, 45 ₃ (FIG. 7), then, usingthe ratings, a corresponding charge may be calculated.

The process has the advantage that ratings can be generated in realtime.

Method of Operating the Mobile Station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10₆

Referring to FIG. 13, a method of operating the mobile station 10 ₁, 10₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ is shown.

The mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ receives the ESG(step M1).

In this case, the ESG is included in hierarchy and session announcements46 ₁, 46 ₂, 46 _(M), 47 ₁, 47 ₂, 47 _(M) (FIG. 8). The first and secondsession announcements 471, 472 (FIG. 8) include descriptions of thefirst and second sessions 44 ₁, 44 ₂ (FIG. 7).

For each session and, optionally, for each item in each session, themobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ checks whether thereis an instruction to transmit a notification (step M2).

In this example, the mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆examines the description 48 included in the session announcements 47 ₁,47 ₂ and checks whether there is an instruction to notify the ratingscentre 3. In other words, it checks whether the “a=x-monitoringFag” isset. It also checks whether there are any another similar fields withadditional instructions.

The mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ determines whetherit is to participate in a session (step M3) and, if instructed to send anotification, transmits a notification (step M4).

In this example, the user, via the ESG browser 35 (FIG. 5), indicatesthat he or she wishes to watch the Business News, in other words consumeitems 45 ₁, 45 ₂, 45 ₃ included in the first session 44 ₁. The mobilestation 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ checks whether it has beeninstructed to send a notification and since “a=X-monitoringFlag” is set,transmits the notification 57 (FIG. 12) to the ratings server 3.

The mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ begins to receivecontent in respect of which it has sent a notification (step M5).

In this instance, the mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆begins to receive and parse IP packets 56 _(1A), 56 _(1B), 56 _(1C), 56_(2A), 56 _(2B), 56 _(2C), 56 _(3A), 56 _(3B), 56 _(3C) (FIG. 11)carrying content relating to items 45 ₁, 45 ₂, 45 ₃ (FIG. 7) in thefirst session 441 (FIG. 7) to the content database 37 (FIG. 2) forstoring and/or to content browser 38 (FIG. 2) for immediate presentationto the user.

The mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ checks whether itis still consuming content in respect of which it has sent anotification (step M6). If so, it sends a notification that it is stillconsuming content (step M7). If not, it sends a notification that itwill cease or has ceased consuming content (step M8).

For example, while the mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆receives and parses IP packets 56 _(1A), 56 _(1B), 56 _(1C), 56 _(2A),56 _(2B), 56 _(2C), 56 _(3A), 56 _(3B), 56 _(3C) (FIG. 11), itperiodically sends a notification 57 (FIG. 13) to the ratings centre 3informing the ratings centre 3 that it is still consuming items 45 ₁, 45₂, 45 ₃ (FIG. 7) included in the first session 44 ₁.

When the mobile terminal 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ ceases toreceive and parse the IP packets 56 _(1A), 56 _(1B), 56 _(1C), 56 _(2A),56 _(2B), 56 _(2C), 56 _(3A), 56 _(3B), 56 _(3C), it sends anotification 57 (FIG. 13) to the ratings centre 3 that it is hasfinished consuming items 45 ₁, 45 ₂, 45 ₃ (FIG. 7).

Method of Controlling Broadcasting

Notifications 57 (FIG. 13) may also be used to control in which regionsor areas content is broadcasted. Thus, content may be broadcasted inregions in which mobile stations 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ wishto consume the content.

Referring to FIG. 14, a method of controlling broadcasting is shown.

An ESG is prepared and the service delivery platform 2 and SGSN 5 ₂perform steps S1 to S4 as described earlier (steps S10 to S13).

Content 50 (FIG. 11) is transmitted to a network element, in this casethe SGSN 5 ₂, where it is stored (step S14). It is not automaticallyforwarded to the base stations 9 ₁, 9 ₂ for transmission to the mobilestations 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆.

A user, via the ESG browser 35 (FIG. 5), indicates that he or she wishesto watch the Business News, in other words consume items 45 ₁, 45 ₂, 45₃ included in the first session 44 ₁.

The mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ transmits anotification that it wishes to start consuming content in respect ofwhich it has been instructed to send a notification (step S15).

In this example, the mobile station 101 transmits a notification 57(FIG. 13) to the ratings centre 3 that it is beginning to consume items45 ₁, 45 ₂, 45 ₃ included in the first session 44 ₁ as describedearlier.

The ratings centre 3 transmits an instruction to the network element toforward content provided a minimum number of mobile stations 10 ₁, 10 ₂,10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 106 send notifications (step S16).

The ratings centre 3 listens for notifications 57. Notifications 57 aregrouped according to sessions and/or items and also according to cells 8₁, 8 ₂ and are counted. If a counted number of mobile stations wishingto consume the same session or item in the same cell 8 ₁, 8 ₂ equals orexceeds a predetermined minimum number, which is usually set to one,then the ratings centre 3 transmits an instruction to the SGSN 5 ₂ totransmit corresponding content 50 in the cell 8 ₁, 8 ₂ (step R3). Thus,in this example, if a notification 57 is received from the mobilestation 10 ₁ located in the first cell 8 ₁ indicating that it wishes toconsume items included in the first session 44 ₁, then an instruction issent to the SGSN 5 ₂ to transmit IP packets 56 _(1A), 56 _(1B), 56_(1C), 56 _(2A), 56 _(2B), 56 _(2C), 56 _(3A), 56 _(3B), 56 _(3C) in thefirst cell 81.

The SGSN 5 ₂ receives the instruction from the ratings centre 3 andforwards the corresponding content 50 to the corresponding base stations9 ₁, 9 ₂ for broadcasting in corresponding cell 8 ₁, 8 ₂. In thisexample, the SGSN 5 ₂ forwards IP packets 56 _(1A), 56 _(1B), 56 _(1C),56 _(2A), 56 _(2B), 26 _(2C), 56 _(3A), 56 _(3B), 56 _(3C) to the firstbase station 9 ₁ for broadcasting in the first cell 8 ₁.

Mobile stations may then receive the corresponding content 50 broadcastin their cell 8 ₁, 8 ₂. For example, the mobile station 10 ₁ begins toreceive and parse IP packets 56 _(1A), 56 _(1B), 56 _(1C), 56 _(2A), 56_(2B), 56 _(2C), 56 _(3A), 56 _(3B), 56 _(3C) carrying content relatingto items 45 ₁, 45 ₂, 45 ₃ in the first sessions 44 ₁ to content database37 (FIG. 5) for storing and/or to content browser 38 (FIG. 5) forimmediate presentation to the user.

The mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂′, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ transmits anotification that it is continuing to consume the content (step S17).

In this example, while the mobile station 10 ₁ receives and parses IPpackets 56 _(1A), 56 _(1B), 56 _(1C), 56 _(2A), 56 _(2B), 56 _(2C), 56_(3A), 56 _(3B), 56 _(3C), it periodically send a notification 57 (FIG.13) to the ratings centre 3 informing the ratings centre 3 that it isstill consuming items 45 ₁, 45 ₂, 45 ₃.

The mobile station 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 transmits anotification that it is finished consuming content (step S18). Theratings centre 3 transmits an instruction to the network element tocease transmitting content if the number of mobile stations 10 ₁, 10 ₂,10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ is below the minimum number (step S19). Thus,content ceases to be transmitted in the cell (step S20). In thisexample, this happens as follows:

If the ratings centre 3 receives further notifications 57 and determinesthat the counted number of mobile stations in the same cell wishing toreceive or continue receiving a session still exceeds the minimumnumber, then it allows the broadcast to continue. However, if thecounted number falls below the minimum number then it transmits aninstruction to the SGSN 5 ₂ to stop transmitting content 50 in thecorresponding cell 8 ₁, 8 ₂.

If the SGSN 5 ₂ receives the instruction from the ratings centre 3 tocease transmitting some of the content 50 in a particular cell 8 ₁, 8 ₂,then it stops forwarding the corresponding content 50 to thecorresponding base station 9 ₁, 9 ₂ or, if the content has already beenforwarded, transmits an instruction to the corresponding base station 9₁, 9 ₂ not to broadcast the corresponding content 50.

In this case, the ratings centre 3 periodically receives notifications57 from the mobile station 10 ₁ that the mobile station 10 ₁ is stillconsuming items 45 ₁, 45 ₂, 45 ₃ (FIG. 7).

The user indicates that he or she no longer wishes to watch the BusinessNews.

The mobile terminal 10 ₁ sends a notification 57 (FIG. 13) to theratings centre 3 that it is has finished consuming items 45 ₁, 45 ₂, 45₃. The ratings centre 3 transmits an instruction to the SGSN 5 ₂ to stoptransmitting corresponding content 50 and the SGSN 5 ₂ stops forwardingany unsent IP packets 56 _(1A), 56 _(1B), 56 _(1C), 56 _(2A), 56 _(2B),56 _(2C), 56 _(3A), 56 _(3B), 563C to the first base station 9 ₁.

The process may be used to broadcast content 50 as and when required.For example, the first session may be broadcast in the first cell 8 ₁,but not the second cell 8 ₂.

Thus, mobile stations 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆ providefeedback as to whether they wish to receive content. Consequently,transmission of the broadcast content may be switched on and off indifferent regions according to whether end-users have shown interest inreceiving the content. This has the advantage of freeing networkresources.

Method of Operating a Ratings Centre 3

Referring to FIG. 15, a method of operating the ratings centre 3 forcontrolling broadcasting is shown.

The ratings centre 3 listens for notifications 57 (step R1) anddetermines whether it has received enough notifications in respect ofthe same session or item in a given region (step R2).

In this case, the ratings centre 3 groups notifications 57 (FIG. 12)according to session, and/or item, and according to cell 8 ₁, 8 ₂. Itcounts a number of mobile stations 10 ₁, 10 ₂, 10 ₃, 10 ₄, 10 ₅, 10 ₆sending notifications 57 (FIG. 12) in respect of each session (or item)in each cell 8 ₁, 8 ₂. The number is compared to a predeterminedthreshold, which is usually one.

If the ratings centre 3 determines that it has received enoughnotifications in respect of the same session or item, then it instructsthe network element 52 to forward content for the session fortransmission in the given area (step R3).

In this case, the ratings centre 3 receives a notification 57 (FIG. 12)from the first mobile 10 ₁ that it wishes to consume items 45 ₁, 45 ₂,45 ₃ included in the first session 44 ₁. The predetermined threshold isone. Therefore, the ratings centre 3 transmits an instruction to theSGSN 5 ₂ to transmit IP packets 56 _(1A), IB_(1B), 56 _(1C), 56 _(2A),56 _(2B), 56 _(2C), 56 _(3A), 56 _(3B), 56 _(3C) in the first cell 8 ₁.

The ratings centre 3 listens for notifications in respect of the sessionor item (step R4).

If the ratings centre 3 determines that it still receives enoughnotifications in respect of the same session or item, then allows thenetwork element 5 ₂ to forward content for the session for transmissionin the given area, otherwise it instructs the network element 5 ₂ tocease forwarding the content (step R5).

Method of Operating a Network Element 5 ₂

Referring to FIG. 16, a method of operating a network element 5 ₂ forcontrolling broadcasting is shown.

The network element 52 listens for content from the service deliveryplatform 2 (step N1). If the network element 52 receives content, thenit stores the content 50 in storage (not shown) (steps N2 & N3).

In this example, the network element 5 ₂ is the SGSN 5 ₂ and the content50 includes content 51 ₁, 51 ₂, 51 ₃ for each item 45 ₁, 45 ₂, 45 ₃(FIG. 7) included in the first session 44 ₁ (FIG. 7). The content 51 ₁,51 ₂, 51 ₃ is included in IP packets 56 _(1A), 56 _(1B), 56 _(1C), 56_(2A), 56 _(2B), 56 _(2C), 56 _(3A), 56 _(3B), 56 _(3C). The content 51₁, 51 ₂, 51 ₃ may accompanied with instructions as to how long to storethe data.

The network element 5 ₂ then listens for instructions from the servicedelivery platform 2 (step N4).

The network element 52 determines whether an instruction to begintransmitting content is received (step N5).

If no instructions are received, then network element 52 checks whetherthe period for transmitting the content has expired (step N6). If so,the network element 52 clears the content from storage (not shown) (stepN7) and begins listening once more for content. Otherwise, the networkelement 52 continues to listens for instructions.

If instructions are received, then the network element 5 ₂ takes contentfrom storage (not shown) and forwards it for transmission (steps N8).The instructions include details of the intended destination of thecontent.

For example, the SGSN 52 receives an instruction from the ratings centre3 to forward content 51 ₁, 51 ₂, 51 ₃ for each item 45 ₁, 45 ₂, 45 ₃(FIG. 7) included in the first session 44 ₁ (FIG. 7) to the first cell 8₁. The SGSN 5 ₂ begins to forward the IP packets 56 _(1A), 56 _(1B), 56_(1C), 56 _(2A), 56 _(2B), 56 _(2C), 56 _(3A), 56 _(3B), 56 _(3C) to thefirst base station 9 ₁ for broadcasting in the first cell 8 ₁.

The network element 5 ₂ determines whether there is content left toforward (step N9).

If there is no content left to forward, then it listens once more forcontent If there is content left, then it listens for furtherinstructions from the service delivery platform 2 (step N10).

The network element 5 ₂ determines whether an instruction is received tostop transmitting content is received (step N11).

If no instruction is received, then the network element 5 ₂ continues tofetch content from storage (not shown) and forward it for transmission.

However, if an instruction is received to stop transmission, thentransmission is suspended and the network element 5 ₂ listens forinstructions to restart transmitting remaining content.

DVB-T & UMTS System

Referring to FIG. 17, another system for delivering content andreturning feedback is shown. The system includes at least one contentprovider 1 ₁, 1 ₂, 1 ₃, a service delivery platform 2 and a ratingscentre 3.

The system includes a first core network 4 _(A), which includes at leastone network element 5 _(A1), 5 _(A2), and a first access network 6 _(A).The first access network 6 _(A) may include network elements 7 _(A1), 7_(A2) and include at least one wireless cell ⁸ _(A1), 8 _(A2) served byrespective base stations 9 _(A1), 9 _(A2).

The system includes a second core network 4 _(B), which includes atleast one network element 5 _(B1), 5 _(B2), and a first access network 6_(B). The second access network 6 _(B) may include network elements 7_(B1), 7 _(B2) and include at least one wireless cell 8 _(B1), 8 _(B2)served by respective base stations 9 _(B1), 9 _(B2).

First base stations 9 _(A1), 9 _(B1) of the access networks 6 _(A), 6_(B) serve a first set of terminals in the form of dual-network mobilestations 10 ₁′, 10 ₂′, 10 ₃′. Second base stations 9 _(A2), 9 _(B2) ofthe access networks 6 _(A), 6 _(B) serve a second set of terminals inthe form of dual-network mobile stations 10 ₄′, 10 ₅′, 10 ₆′.

In this example, the first network 4 _(A), 6 _(A) is or forms part of aterrestrial Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB-T) network.

The first core network 4 _(A) is a packet-based network and the networkelements 5 _(A1), 5 _(A2) may be routers.

The first access network 6 _(A) is also a packet-based network and thenetwork elements 7 _(B1), 7 _(B1) may each be a multiprotocolencapsulator (MPE) or an IP encapsulator (IPE). The base stations 9_(A1), 9 _(A2) may each comprise DVB-T transmitter for transmittingorthogonal frequency divisional multiplexing (OFDM) signals.

In this example the second network 4 _(B), 6 _(B) is or forms part of auniversal mobile telephone system (UMTS) network. In this example, theUMTS is not used for broadcasting but rather for point-to-pointcommunication with the ratings server 17 (FIG. 3).

The second core network 4 _(B) is a packet-based network and the networkelements 5 _(B1), 5 _(B2) may be a gateway general packet radio service(GPRS) service node (GGSN) and a serving GPRS service node (SGSN)respectively.

The second access network 6 _(B) is also a packet-based network and thenetwork elements 7 _(B1), 7 _(B2) may be radio network controllers(RNC). The base stations 9 _(B1), 9 ₂ may each comprise a base stationnode B for transmitting according to a wideband code division multipleaccess (WCDMA) specification.

The second network 4 _(B), 6 _(B) may be a public land mobile network(PLMN) network, such as a GSM network, a wired network, such as a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN) or cable network, or the Internet.

The first network 4 _(A), 6 _(A) is used to transmit the ESG, includinga request for feedback, and content to the mobile stations 10 ₁′, 10 ₂′,10 ₃′, 10 ₄′, 10 ₅′, 10 ₆′ according to any of the methods describedearlier. The second network 4 _(B), 6 _(B) is used to provide feedbackfrom the mobile stations 10 ₁′, 10 ₂′, 10 ₃′, 10 ₄′, 10 ₅′, 10 ₆′ to theratings server 17 (FIG. 3) according to any of the methods describedearlier.

Mobile Stations 10 ₁′, 10 ₂′, 10 ₃′, 10 ₄′, 10 ₅′, 10 ₆′

Referring also to FIG. 18, the mobile stations 10 ₁′, 10 ₂′, 10 ₃′, 10₄′, 10 ₅′, 10 ₆′ are similar to the mobile stations 10 ₁′, 10 ₂′, 10 ₃′,10 ₄′, 10 ₅′, 10 ₆′ described earlier but also include another antenna60 and another radio frequency section 61 so allowing them to be usedwith two types of network. A single antenna may be used for the radiofrequency sections 21, 58.

In this example, the radio frequency section 21 is suitable formodulating/de-modulating and amplifying signals received via the UMTSnetwork 4 _(B), 6 _(B) and the other radio frequency section 61 issuitable for de-modulating and amplifying signals received via DVB-Tnetwork 4 _(A), 6 _(A). In other words, in this example the mobilestations 10 ₁′, 10 ₂′, 10 ₃′, 10 ₄′, 10 ₅′, 10 ₆′ are integrated3G/DVB-T mobile terminals.

DVB-T & UMTS System

Referring to FIG. 19, a system for delivering content to and returningfeedback from a receiving station 10 ₁′ is shown. A portion of thesystem for delivering content to the receiving station 10 ₁′ comprises abroadcast server 2, the Internet 4 _(A), a DVB-T system 6 _(A) and aradio transmitter tower 9 _(A). The broadcast server 2 includes acontent provider 1, a service broadcast servers 13, 16, which includessoftware for generating IP streams and corresponding IP sessionannouncements at plural levels, as SAP messages, and a rating server 17.A portion of the system for returning feedback to the ratings device 17comprises the Internet 4 _(B), a UMTS network 6 _(B) and a radiotransmitter tower 9 _(B).

IP streams and IP session announcements 47 ₁, 47 ₂, 47 _(N) (FIG. 9)generated by the broadcast server 2 are provided by servers 13, 16, viathe Internet 4 _(A), to the DVB-T system 6 _(A). Here, the IP streamsand IP session announcements are prepared before being broadcast by theradio transmitter tower 9 _(A). The receiving station 10 ₁′ receivessession announcements 47 ₁, 47 ₂, 47 _(N) (FIG. 9) which include aninstruction to transmit a notification 57 (FIG. 12) if the receivingstation 10 ₁′ wishes to receive a session 44 ₁, 44 ₂ (FIG. 7), continueto receive a session or cease to receive a session, in a manner similarto that described earlier.

The receiving station 10 ₁′ transmits a notification 57 (FIG. 12) forindicating that it wishes to consume content, continue receiving contentor cease receiving content, the notification being transmitted throughUMTS 6 _(B) and Internet 4 _(B) to ratings server 17, in a mannersimilar to that described earlier.

It will be appreciated that many modifications may be made to theembodiments hereinbefore described.

For example, the system for delivering content may include more thanservice delivery platform, more than one ratings centre, more than onecore network and more than one access network which communicate andshare information.

Different transport protocols may be used, such as RTP. The instructionmay be transmitted in an application layer, in an IP layer or in asignalling layer.

An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) backbone network and a wirelesslocal area network (WLAN) may be used as core and access networksrespectively using an interconnecting edge router.

Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) messages may be used totransmit a schedule and include an instruction to notify a given partyof consumption of content.

The broadcasting system may be a digital audio broadcasting (DAB)system, an integrated services digital broadcasting (ISDB) system, suchas a television ISDB system (ISDB-T), or another DVB system, such as asatellite DVB (DVB-S) system or cable DVB (DVB-C) system.

An integrated GPRS/DVB-T mobile terminal may be used instead of a3G/DVB-T mobile terminal.

The receiver stations need not be mobile, but may be fixed. For example,the receiver station may be integrated into a digital television set ordigital television set-top box.

Different receiving stations of different types may be used within thesystem, for example some receiving stations may be mobile and some maybe fixed. Additionally or alternatively, receiving stations may providefeedback through different networks. For example, one receiving stationmay provide feedback though a 3G network and second receiving stationmay provide feedback though the Internet via a wired link.

1-32. (canceled)
 33. A method of gathering information relating toconsumption of broadcast content, the method comprising: preparing adescription of the content; adding to said description an instruction tonotify a given party of one of the group comprising intended receptionof said content and consumption of said content; and transmitting saiddescription to a plurality of receiving stations.
 34. A method accordingto claim 33, comprising: preparing a schedule for broadcasting content;and including said description in the schedule; wherein transmittingsaid description to the plurality of receiving stations comprisestransmitting said schedule to the plurality of receiving stations.
 35. Amethod according to claim 33, comprising adding to said description aninstruction to notify said given party of intended continued receptionof said content.
 36. A method according to claim 33, comprising addingto said description an instruction to notify said given party ofintended cessation of reception of content.
 37. A method according toclaim 33, comprising broadcasting said content if a receiving stationnotifies said given party that it intends to receive said content.
 38. Amethod according to claim 33, comprising receiving notifications fromreceiving stations.
 39. A method according to claim 33, comprisingcounting a number of receiving stations which notify said given partythat they intend to receive said content.
 40. A method according toclaim 33, comprising counting a number of receiving stations whichnotify said given party that they are receiving said content.
 41. Amethod according to claim 33, comprising preparing said description ofsaid content according to the Session Description Protocol.
 42. A methodaccording to claim 33, further comprising identifying a region fromwhich said notification is received and transmitting said item ofservice in said region.
 43. A method according to claim 33, furthercomprising identifying a region from which a notification is receivedand broadcasting said content in said region.
 44. A method according toclaim 33, further comprising identifying a region from which nonotification is received and not broadcasting said content in saidregion.
 45. A method, in a receiving station, of providing informationrelating to consumption of broadcast content, the method comprising:receiving a description of said content; determining whether aninstruction has been added to said description, said instruction beingto notify a given party of one of the group comprising intendedreception of said content and consumption of the said content; and ifdetermined that said instruction is added to said description, thentransmitting, to said given party, a notification of intended receptionof said content.
 46. A method according to claim 45, comprising:receiving a schedule of broadcasting content, said schedule includingthe description of said content.
 47. A method according to claim 45,comprising: receiving said content.
 48. A method according to claim 47,further comprising: transmitting, to said given party, a notification ofintended continued reception of said content.
 49. A method according toclaim 48, further comprising: transmitting, to said given party, anotification of intended cessation of reception of said content.
 50. Amethod of controlling a broadcasting network, said broadcasting networkincluding a base station for broadcasting content in a predeterminedregion, said method comprising: counting a number of notifications ofintended reception of broadcast content received from receiving stationslocated in said predetermined region and if said number of notificationsequals or exceeds a predetermined number, broadcasting said content insaid predetermined region.
 51. A method according to claim 50, furthercomprising: preparing a description of broadcast content; adding to saiddescription an instruction to notify a given party of intended receptionof said content; and transmitting said description to a plurality ofreceiving stations.
 52. A method according to claim 50, furthercomprising: if said number of notifications falls below saidpredetermined number, stopping broadcast of said content in saidpredetermined region.
 53. A computer program product storing a computerprogram comprising instructions which, when executed by data processingapparatus, causes said data processing apparatus to perform the methodaccording to claim
 33. 54. Apparatus for gathering information relatingto consumption of broadcast content, the apparatus comprising: aprocessor for preparing a description of the content and adding to saiddescription an instruction to notify a given party of one of a groupcomprising intended reception of said content and consumption of saidcontent; and a transmitter for transmitting said description to aplurality of receiving stations.
 55. Apparatus for controlling abroadcasting network, said broadcasting network including a contentprovider, a network element for routing content and a base station forbroadcasting content in a predetermined region, said apparatuscomprising: a receiver for receiving, from receiving station, anotification of intended reception of broadcast content; a processor fordetermining whether said notification is received from a receivingstation located in said predetermined region and transmitter forinstructing said network element to route said content to said basestation for transmission in said predetermined region.
 56. A receivingstation for providing information relating to consumption of broadcastcontent, the receiving station comprising: a receiver for receiving adescription of said content; a processor for determining whether aninstruction has been added to said description, said instruction beingto notify a given party of one of a group comprising intended receptionof said content and consumption of said content; and a transmitter fortransmitting, to said given party, a notification of intended receptionof said content if said instruction is added to said description.
 57. Asystem for presenting program schedule data on a display of receivingstation, said system comprising at least a schedule data forbroadcasting content, the schedule data being organized to include atleast partly an instruction to notify a given party of consumption ofcontent.